What a great new forum

I am by no means an expert film historian, but I think this will become a favorite place to hang out. When asked about movies I like or dislike I always respond that even bad movies offer an opportunity for learning. And good movies are of course divided into good, great and amazing.

Yes, I chuckle that one of the movies that many critics consider one of the greats -- the oft-venerated 60s West Side Story -- is one of the campiest, cheesiest films of all time (even making Kraft's blue box acquire a slight greening with envy). The music is far more important than the film, in my opinion.

I loved it as a kid but both Kathlyn and I watched it recently, wondering why we once liked it. You laughed in all the wrong places and found yourself thinking that what the creators wanted to be a respected grand scale musical, in reality turned into a farcical involuntary comedy.

This one is like a bottle of wine that aged none too well and went to vinegar.

But the songs are still quite a piece of work.

Best regards,

Ron Lindeboom

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. - Antoine de Saint Exupéry

I am suspicious of those "Best Films Ever" lists. Sure, Eisenstein is really important, but do I really want to watch his movies again?

But I would love to know what my fellow COW members would consider their "Desert Island Disks:" What 10-50 DVDs would you take to a desert island (one with electricity, preferably), or perhaps a space capsule to Mars. (My nominee: "The Rules of the Game.")

And another list I'd love to see: what do you think are the most over-rated films of all time? (West Side Story is a good start.)

Finally: the films that may not be "great," but have some redeeming quality which made you sit up and take notice of what an incredibly wonderful sand box we get to play in. I'd cite "13 Rue Madeleine" for the overhead shot of parachutes opening... and not opening.

This art form is still so young, compared to painting, literature, drama, and music -- and yet it draws on all those disciplines.

Looking forward to some interesting posts here -- I like the ones I've seen so far.